Tuesday, 21 January 2014

Introduction

This is part of a series of articles showing Windows users how easy it is to install and use Linux and is aimed at the Windows XP users whose support is ending and for Vista users who are currently riding in cattle class compared to those users running Windows 7 and Windows 8.

If you are using a netbook that came pre-installed with Windows XP you may not have a DVD drive and so in this article I will show you how to create a bootable Linux USB drive using Windows XP and Windows Vista.

Further articles will show you how to backup your files and how to create a system image and there will be full guides showing you how to install Linux alongside Windows.

The idea of these articles is to help you make the switch and it doesn't matter how old you are or what your skill level is. The instructions should be easy enough for anyone to follow.

What you will need to follow this guide

A computer with at least 512 MB RAM running Windows Vista

A USB drive (At least 1 GB)

A working internet connection

Strategy

The strategy for creating a bootable Linux USB drive is as follows:

1. Download the Linux ISO

2. Download and install the software to create the bootable USB drive

3. Format the USB drive

4. Create the bootable USB drive

1. 32 bit or 64 bit

Before you can download Linux you need to know whether the computer you are using has a 32 bit processor or a 64 bit processor.

If you already know the answer to this then you can skip to step 2.

To find out if your computer is 32 bit or 64 bit press the Start button on your computer and choose the "Computer" option.

At the top of the "Computer" screen is a menu option which reads "System Properties". Click this link.

The system information screen tells you about your system, including the version of Windows you are using, and the computer's specifications.

The "System Type" will tell you whether you are using a 32-bit computer or a 64-bit computer.